CPDLC Clearance system
The plugin features an integrated CPDLC clearance system via the Hoppie ACARS system.
Using it is pretty simple, first you need to configure the plugin:
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In ES chat, type
.smr, a popup window will appear (see image below), enter in there your station logon callsign (should be the ICAO code of the airport), and your Hoppie's logon password (Get it here). -
Select whether or not you wish to have a "ding" sound played when you receive a clearance request.
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Press "OK", the settings will save by the plugin. Caution: Your logon password will be stored in plain text.
Once the plugin is configured, you need to add the tag items to your lists, the best place to put it is in the departure list:
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Click the little "S" on the departure list.
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Selected the item in the list that would like to be followed by the CPDLC clearance indicator, and click "Add Item".
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For the newly selected item, select the following options:
- Tag Item type: "vSMR / Datalink clearance".
- Header name: "D".
- Width: "1".
- Left Button: "vSMR / Datalink menu".
- Press "OK".
The plugin is now set up to use Hoppie's CPDLC. Now to use it:
When you login as a controller and make sure no one else is logged on Hoppie's network with the callsign you want to use, then type .smr connect in chat. This will connect you to Hoppie's network and you'll receive a confirmation message if you were successfully logged in, or an error message if the login failed. You can view the callsigns of people already logged into Hoppie's network, see a log of sent messages, and test your setup using the webpage here.
Don't forget to put in your controllers remark your logon callsign and that you have datalink clearance available!
When you receive a clearance request a flashing "R" will appear in the list. Clicking on it will bring the datalink menu:
- Confirm: Opens the popup to send the clearance.
- Standby: Sends a "standby" message and sets in the list an "S" code.
- Voice: Sends an "Unable, contact by voice" message.
Before clicking confirm, make sure everything is set up correctly in EuroScope, the right runway, the right SID, the right initial altitude, the right squawk e.t.c.. Clicking confirm will open up a popup which allows you to review the clearance to be sent to the pilot. In the window, a couple of things can be set:
- TSAT: The targeted start up time (optional).
- CTOT: The calculated take off time (optional).
- NEXT FREQ: The frequency that the pilot should contact for push and start on voice - if it is different to your frequency (optional).
- MESSAGE: A custom message (optional).
When you click send, a yellow "V" code will be set in the list until the aircraft replies with a wilco message, when it does so, the "V" will turn green, confirming the aircraft has received the clearance and accepted it.
To log off Hoppie's network type .smr connect into the chat - you will receive a confirmation message that you have logged off the network.
See an operational example here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMAFFmoD6f0.
Pilots can see a guide for using the pilot client here http://community.vatsim.uk/topic/31560-pdc-pictoral-beginners-guide/.